Affinity Group Tours specializes in student travel

Affinity Group Tours is one of Western Canada’s most respected and well-known tour operators. Since 1983 we have been organizing music and education travel for student groups. Our motto is “creating memories for life”.

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Cantando Festivals

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CANTANDO FESTIVALS

We are Cantando Festivals Specialists

The exclusive agent for the Whistler Cantando Music Festival and Sun Peaks Cantando Music Festival

The Edmonton Cantando Music Festival is a renowned three-day music festival designed for concert bands, wind ensembles, choirs, jazz bands, and vocal jazz.

Why Edmonton Cantando?

• Canada’s largest producer of student music festivals

• Performances at the beautiful Winspear Center

• Non-Competitive festivals

• Valuable performance opportunities

• Adjudicated performance and 50 minute ensemble workshop

• 50 minute Instrumental Masterclasses

• Massed instrument and voice ensembles

• International Faculty

• Hotel accommodation within steps of most choir and band facilities

• Daily hot breakfast buffet

• Group dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory

• West Edmonton Mall Amusement Park or Waterworld Pass

• Ed’s Rec Room Dinner at the West Edmonton Mall

• Safe environment for all students

• Additional elementary school visits – upon request

The Whistler Cantando Music Festival is a three day music festival designed for concert bands, wind ensembles, choirs, jazz bands, and vocal jazz.

The festival is held in the beautiful Whistler Village, a 90 minute drive north of Vancouver, BC and the home of the 2010 Winter Olympics. The pedestrian-friendly Village lends itself perfectly to a safe festival atmosphere for all participants. All restaurants, hotels and festival venues are within an easy 10 minute walk.

Why Whistler Cantando?

• Canada’s largest producer of student music festivals

• Non-Competitive festivals with optional scoring

• Valuable performance opportunities

• Adjudicated performance and 50 minute ensemble workshop

• 50 minute Instrumental Masterclasses

• Two evening festival concerts

• Massed instrument and voice ensembles

• International Faculty

• All groups receive a participation plaque

• Safe environment for all students

• No minimum numbers

• 2 or 3 night festival packages available

• Fun student activities including a student social/dance (included in the registration fee)

The Sun Peaks Cantando Music Festival is a three day music festival designed for concert bands, wind ensembles, choirs, jazz bands, and vocal jazz.

The festival is held at the beautiful Sun Peaks Resort, a 30 minute drive north of Kamloops in the beautiful Thompson Okanagan region of British Columbia. The alpine village setting of the resort lends itself perfectly to a safe festival atmosphere for all participants.

Why the New Orleans Music Festival?

• 1 day music festivals with additional performance workshops and performances

• Awards dinner

• 4 or 5 night packages

• National Jazz Historic Park performance

• New Orleans University Music Workshops

• Preservation Hall private concert

• Natchez Dixieland Cruise

• Historic Music Walking Tour

• Louis Armstrong Jazz Museum

• Plantation Tour

• Swamp Tour

• Additional School performance – upon request

• Creole Cooking Class

• Hotel with breakfast within walking distance to the French Quarter

• Jazz Club on Frenchmen Street

The Music at Sea Program is a series of cruises designed for students with a one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience the art of Cruising while being enriched in the musical and educational aspects of the ship and the ports of call you will be visiting.

Affinity Group Tours has partnered with Norwegian Cruise Lines to create the unique Music at Sea Program. With a series of dates and destinations, these exciting opportunities allows your group to have a great experience.

Alaska

7-night cruise from Vancouver includes:

• Group Meals on board

• Group Activities

• Broadway Style Entertainment and Musical Entertainment

• Shore Excursions

• Workshops

• Onboard Performances

• Performance in Ketchikan

• Visit to Juneau, the capital of Alaska

• Traditional Alaskan Follies Show

• Glacier viewing

• Gratuities & service charges

Pacific Coastal

6-night cruise includes:

• 1 night in Anaheim

• Visit to Disneyland

• Group Meals on board

• Group Activities on board

• Broadway Style Shows Musical Entertainment

• Onboard Performances

• Stops in San Francisco, Astoria, or Victoria

• Gratuities & service charges

Bahamas

6-night cruise includes:

• 1 night in Miami

• Performance on Grand Bahama Island

• Experience local traditional Reggae and Island Music

• Island Circle Tours

• Workshops in Nassau

• Group Meals on board

• Group Activities on board

• Broadway Style Shows & Musical Entertainment

• Onboard Performances

• Gratuities & service charges

The Canadian Anaheim Music Festival is a three-day music festival designed for concert bands, choirs, jazz bands, and vocal jazz.

The festival is held at the world-famous Disneyland, a 5-minute walk from most hotels. This unique setting allows groups to experience the best of both worlds by performing for Park visitors and then enjoying the Park itself.

Why Anaheim?

• On-site services of Affinity Group Tours staff

• Disney Park Hopper Pass included

• Valuable performance opportunities

• 90-minute Recording Workshop with professional Disney musician

• Adjudicated performance and 20 minute ensemble workshop

• Massed instrument and voice ensembles

• Closing Ceremony Dinner in Stage 17

• All groups receive a participation plaque

• Safe environment for all students

• Catholic Mass offered

Note: ensembles must provide audition materials and be accepted into the program

• 3 or 4 night packages available that include condo or hotel accommodation

• Group meal package

• Private hot Springs rental

• Bowling and pizza package

• Columbia Hot Springs

• Banff Park Passes

• Affinity Group Tours is an official agent of the festival and works closely with the organizer

• Licenced agent to operate a business in the Banff National Park

MUSIC TOURS

We are Music Tour Specialists

As one of the leading student tour operators in Western Canada, Affinity Group Tours is here to help you create memories for life. Whether you have a concert band, jazz band, choir or even an orchestra, we can create a tour full of learning and performing opportunities.

Trips can be planned around your school board’s calendar to minimize missed time in the classroom.

Affinity Group Tours has over 30 years’ experience in planning domestic, USA and international tours.

DOMESTIC TOURS

British Columbia Tours

3-day Victoria tour includes: City Highlights Tour (Chinatown, Beach Drive, Bastion Square), a workshop at the University of Victoria, visits to Royal BC Museum with IMAX show, Victoria Symphony & Victoria School of Music, and a performance at the Parliament buildings.

3-day Vancouver tour includes: workshop at University of British Columbia, performance at Granville Island, visits to Stanley Park, Vancouver Aquarium, Telus World of Science, Gastown, Capilano Suspension Bridge, the Vancouver Symphony, and a performance at a local school.

Alberta

3-day Edmonton tour includes: performances at local schools, visits to Royal Tyrell Museum, West Edmonton Mall, Telus World of Science, the Edmonton Symphony and a music workshop at the University of Alberta.

Saskatchewan

3-day tour includes: local school performances, visits to Western Development Museum, Workshop at the University of Saskatchewan, Wilson’s Entertainment Park, RCMP Heritage Centre, and the Tunnels of Moose Jaw.

Ontario

5-day Toronto tour includes: visits to the CN Tower, MuchMusic Headquarters, Hockey Hall of Fame, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Royal Conservatory of Music, show at the Ed Mirvish theatre, Eaton Centre, and Niagara Falls (including the Maid of the Mist) and performances at local schools.

The Maritimes

6-day tour includes: time in Nova Scotia at Dalhousie University (music workshop), visits to Pier 21, Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, night at the symphony. Time in Prince Edward Island at the Anne of Green Gables House, Anne of Green Gables Museum, PEI Preserve Company, Cow’s Creamery and the Confederation Centre of the Arts. Local school performances in both provinces.

U.S.A. TOURS

New Orleans

6-day tour includes: visits to the French Quarter, Jackson Square, Preservation Hall, Beauregard-Keyes House, Mardi Gras World, the Louisiana Swamps and Bayous. Participate in a Haunted Walking Tour, watch a jazz show at the Mint, volunteer for Katrina victims, enjoy a dinner cruise on an authentic steamboat, perform at local schools and partake in a workshop at the University of New Orleans.
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Hawaii

7-day tour includes: performances at local schools, visits to International Marketplace, Aloha Flea Market, Pearl Harbor and Arizona Memorial. Enjoy snorkelling and swimming at Hanauma Bay, a Luau at the Polynesian Cultural Center, and the Circle Island Tour of Oahu as well as a music workshop at the University of Hawaii, and a performance at the USS Missouri.

INTERNATIONAL TOURS

Affinity Group Tours has a wide variety of tours to many famous destinations including Europe (Spain, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Russia), Asia (Japan, China, Korea, Singapore), South America (Peru, Costa Rica) and South Pacific (New Zealand, Australia, the Cook Islands), to mention a few. Performance opportunities include churches, masses, outdoor venues, music conservatories, schools, museums and galleries. Our goal is provide your choir with a receptive audiences throughout your tour. All tours are custom made to your needs.

Below are some examples of tours that we have done in the past. What would YOUR trip look like?

3 nights in London on Hop On Hop Off Bus, West End Musical, Royal Conservatory of Music workshop
5 nights at Harrogate Festival ( near York, England) with church and outdoor concerts, workshops, nearby sightseeing and parade, closing ceremonies
*** Optional 2 night stay in Edinburgh Scotland ***

Footsteps of Mozart Tour (10-Day trip) includes:

2 nights in Munich with visits to some amazing castles
3 nights in Salzburg with tours to Mozart’s birthplace and residence, Lecture at Mozarteum University, evening Mozart concert and dinner, Sound of Music Tour
3 nights in Vienna visiting Mozart’s cemetery, Vienna State Opera, and Haus der Musik

Italy Art and Music Tour (9-Day trip) includes:

1 night in Milan visit to de Vinci’s Last Supper
2 nights in Venice visiting Doge’s Palace, Canal Tour, Vivaldi Museum
2 nights in Florence with tours to Accademia and Uffizi Galleries, outdoor markets, and a performance at a Fine Arts School
2 nights in Rome with touring to the Vatican Museums, Roman Forum, Coliseum Tour and evening public performance

Canadian Memorial Tour (9-Day trip) includes:

2 nights in Amsterdam with a Canal Tour and Anne Frank House
1 nights in Belgium visiting Canadian WWI memorials including a performance at Vimy Ridge Memorial
2 nights in Caen visiting the Juno Beach Centre with a performance at the WWII beaches and Riviers Cemetery
2 nights in Paris with a visits to the Paris music museum with 4000 instruments and walking tours

Gotenborg Sweden Culture Festival (August) includes:

3 nights in Gothenburg at the festival with performances with local groups and the little wind ensemble music festival. With 1.3 million visitors this is Europe’s most diverse and largest festival promoting Scandinavian artists.
3 nights in Stockholm with tours to the local galleries, canal tour, and performances
2 nights in Copenhagen with a tour to Tivoli Gardens, canal tour, and walking tours

Asia

Japanese Drumming Tour (8-Day trip) includes:

3 nights in Tokyo working with Taiko drumming masters and drumming clubs , Tokyo Electronic district, Imperial Palace, Kabuki theatre
2 nights in Kyoto visiting Kinkaku-ji ( Golden Temple), Nijo Castle, and calligraphy lessons, Japanese bullet train
2 nights in Hiroshima visiting the Peace Memorial and a second visits to a Japanese school or drumming club

China Tour (8-Day trip) includes:

4 nights in Beijing visiting Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Grand Theatre, Temple of Heaven, Musical Performance on Great Wall, visit International Olympics Park, enjoy a Kungfu Show.
Visit a school and have cultural exchange with the students. A performance for the students in the afternoon
3 nights in Shanghai includes flight to Shanghai. Drive to Suzhou and visit the gardens: The Garden of the Master of the Nets, the Garden of the Lion Forest
Full day city tour: Shanghai Museum, The Bund, Yuyuan Garden and Old Shanghai City. An Acrobatic Show after dinner

South America

Costa Rica Music Tour (8-Day trip) includes:

2 nights in San Jose with a tour to the butterfly park, music workshop at San Jose University, outdoor markets
2 nights Arenal Volcano with zip trek and Baldi Hot Springs
3 nights at Jaco Beach with concerts and surfing time. Day trip to Antonio Manuel Nature Preserve

EDUCATIONAL TOURS

We are Educational Tour Specialists

As we create memories for life, we are more than happy to create a custom tour for your group or school, based on your interests. Whether you have a language club, sports team, art appreciation group or community group, we are here to help!

Should you have favourite hotels or sites that you would like incorporated into your trip, just let us know and we would be more than happy to plan these stops and sites in your itinerary.

Trip dates are planned around your group’s preferred schedule and we will work with your budget.

With over 30 years’ of tour planning experience, Affinity Group Tours is fully versed on finding those hidden gems to visit that will make this the trip of a lifetime for your group!

Spain

11-day Spanish Highlights Tour: stays in Madrid, Barcelona, Granada and Valencia with language lessons in Madrid, visit to Toledo – an UNESCO World Heritage City, partake in a traditional Spanish Flamenco Show and tours in each city featuring Spain’s major tourist attractions including the Barcelona`s Gothic Quarter.

14-day Iberian Coast Tour includes: visits to Spain, Morocco and Portugal. Enjoy tapas in Valencia, tour the Alhambra in Granada, visit the beaches of Seville and head to North Africa to explore their markets of Fes and Tangier in Morocco.

France

9-day tour includes: “Paris in Depth” – including the Champs De Elysee, Opera Garnier, Notre Dame, Place De La Concorde, Eiffel Tower and exclusive French home stays in Paris, La Rochelle, Cannes, Tours and Lyon.

12-day Treasures of France tour includes: visit landmarks of Paris including the historic landing beaches at Normandy, with a visit to the Juno Beach Centre, Rouen (where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake). Also enjoy breathtaking castles in the Loire Valley (including Chenonceau and Chambord), and the beautiful stained glass at Chartres Cathedral.

12-day Canadian Battlefields Tour includes: a visit to the Imperial War Museum in London, ferry to France, visits to the historic D-Day Normandy landing beaches, the significant Somme Battlefields and the second level of the Eiffel Tower to take in the amazing views. Please note that this tour can be conducted entirely in French

11-day France Homestays include: 4 nights in Paris, exploring the city by foot and metro with a local guide. Next, meet the French family hosting your 7-night homestay. Homestay locations include Versailles, Tours, Nice, La Rochelle and Lyons.

9–day Paris Language Tour includes: exploring the many neighborhoods of Paris with visits to the Eiffel Tour, Louvre, Notre Dame, Les Invalides, Sacre Couer, the Left Bank and the Catacombs. Also enjoy a Seine River cruise, a day trip to Versailles and French classes.

11-day Paris and Southern France Tour includes: 3 nights in Paris and the TGV to Marseilles. Visit the Roman Pont du Gard and Avignon (with views of the impressive Palace of the Popes and the ruined bridge straddling the River Rhône). Next, travel through Provence and arrive in the city of Nice in the Cote d Àzur. Visit the principality of Monaco, the beaches of Juan Les Pinnes, and perfume factories in Eze.

Mexico

Japan

10-day Japanese Culture and Language Tour includes: visits to Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima to explore Japanese culture first hand. In learn about Japanese traditions such as the Japanese tea ceremony, calligraphy, and kabuki theatre. Also visit some of the city’s 16 UNECSO World Heritage sites including the Golden Pavilion, Nijo Castle, and the Bamboo forest.

Italy

10–day Best of Venice, Florence & Rome Tour includes: visits to Venice’s St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, Michelangelo’s stunning David, the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Rome’s Ancient Forum, Colosseum, Pantheon, Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel. You’ll also enjoy guided neighborhood walks, local leather markets, and memorable meals . Special classes will be offered to the students on the Italian Renaissance and its artists.

Catholic Language Tours

The following is a list of supplementary activities that are available to those Catholic schools wishing to add a Catholic pilgrimage to their itinerary.

Toronto

5-day tour includes: visits to the CN Tower, Hockey Hall of Fame, Toronto Football Club match, Eaton Centre, Toronto Blue Jays, Medieval Times, Canada’s Wonderland and a day in Niagara Falls (including the Maid of the Mist).

New York City

UK/France/Belgium

12-day Canadian Battlefields Tour includes: a visit to the Imperial War Museum in London, ferry to France, visits to the historic D-Day Normandy landing beaches, the significant Somme Battlefields and the second level of the Eiffel Tower to take in the amazing views. Please note that this tour can be conducted entirely in French.

Paris and the Loire Valley

11-day tour includes: visits to Arromanches, Bayeux, the Abbey at Mont St. Michel, chateaux of Clemenceau and Chambord, the Louvre, Versailles and the Eiffel Tower.

Greece

Germany

10-day tour includes: stops in Frankfurt, visits to Bavaria and the Black Forrest, Nuremburg and the medieval city Rothenberg, Mad King Ludwig’s Neuschawanstein Castle, Oberammergau – the home of the Pasion Play, a cruise on the Rhine, visit to Munich with time in the Marienplatz and a traditional Dinner and Show.

Germany/Austria

9-day Germany & Austria Music Highlights tour includes:
• Munich’s Highlights (including traditional dinner and show)
• Travel through the Bavarian Alps and visit King Ludwig’s Neuschwsanstein Castle
• Visit Salzburg – the birth place of Mozart and home of the Sound of Music
• Cruise on the Danube and see the castles that line the scenery
• In Vienna, tour the Schonbrunn Palace and the home of Strauss
• Enjoy a Viennese Concert

Italy

7-day tour includes: stops in Milan to visit the Galleria Vittoria, Grand Gothic Cathedral, Santa Maria della Grazie and Da Vinci’s Last Supper. A stay in Florence with visits to Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio, Galleria degli Uffizi and Galleria dell’ Academia. A visit to Rome to see the famous Colosseum, St. Peters Basillica, Sistine Chapel, and Vatican.

UK

9-day English tour includes: London – including the London Library, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre & Museum & the Tate Museum, Windsor Castl, the Historic City of Bath, Stratford upon Avon – including a visit to Shakespeare’s birthplace, Ann Hathaway’s Cottage & guided tour of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

GRAD TRIPS

Affinity Group Tours is excited to announce our 2014 line up of senior high school tours. You’ve worked hard to graduate; stayed up late to study, played hard for your team, and arrived early for band class. Now it’s time to celebrate with your senior class tour!

Say good-bye to winter and hello to spring with Spring “Fun” Trip packages that include fun in the sun at some of the world’s best attractions, beaches, and theme parks.

Senior Tours/Grad Trips include:

• Affordable prices and excellent customer service
• Full service tour operator that can provide your group with airline & chartered motor coach prices on any tour
• Daily Tour Guide with 24-hour emergency phone service

Disneyland & Los Angeles

4-night tour includes: entrance to Disneyland, a tour of Los Angeles with stops at the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Grammy Museum. Enjoy exclusive entrance to Disneyland Grad Night, including a special Grad Night showing of World of Color, visit the beach, Medieval Times and enjoy a night of dinner theatre. Packages include: return flight, group meals, and hotel accommodations near Disneyland.

Grad Cruise – Alaska or California Coast with day in Los Angeles

5-7 night Grad Cruise, hosted by Affinity Group Tours, includes: on-board group activities, group meals, sightseeing, city tours, and an on-board Grad Celebration.

Affinity Group Tours continues to be a model organization. Service is outstanding and I am continually impressed with the prompt replies and friendly service.

Dawn Sadoway, Bev Facey Community High School, Edmonton, Alberta

Affinity Group Tours takes the worry out of taking school tours! I highly recommend them.

Karen Labahn, Bellerose Composite High School, St. Albert, Alberta

We couldn't possibly have had a better trip. It will be a long-lasting memory as one of the best band trips ever!

Catherine Robilliard, North Sannich Middle School, Sidney, BC

We had the experience of a lifetime filled with friends, laughter and music!

Linda Miller, Holy Spirit High School

The festival delivered on every level: music, fun, activities, meals, and price!

Larry Olson, Vancouver College

There was more music at this festival than any other offered at Sun Peaks.

Judy Wisholff, Sir Winston Churchill Calgary

The clinic with Dr. Fraser Linklater was spectacular. His comments were extremely helpful. My students were engaged throughout the session. The University of Manitoba ensembles were amazing! We will be back 2015.

Clarence Samuelson, John Maland High School

Cantando Festivals always provide the best in festival learning regardless of whether they are in the Winspear or the mountains.

Graeme Peppink, St. Marguerite d’Youville

ABOUT US

Affinity Group Tours is one of Western Canada’s most respected and well-known tour operators. Since 1983 we have been organizing music and education travel for student groups. Our motto is “creating memories for life”.

Our Core Values

Why Choose Us?

Family owned and operated for 30 years
One of the most recognized student tour operators in Western Canada
Specializing in custom-made music tours
Exclusive agent for the Canadian Anaheim Music Festival and the Whistler, Nelson & Sun Peaks Cantando Music Festivals
Experienced staff with a wide range of travel backgrounds
Old-fashioned customer service: We Care!
Complimentary parent meetings
On-site festival representation
Pre-inspected hotel and transportation services
5 million dollars liability insurance
Registered Travel Agent with the Business Practices Consumers Protection Authority of BC, registration # 26492
All deposits are held in trust, as per BC Travel Registrar requirement

Member of Music Associations in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Washington state